The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-26
PROTEST OF THE CREWS.
A NAVAL COURT TAKES UP THE
WET COTTON CASE.

The Crews Object to Sailing With
Damaged Cotton Under the Matches
and Appeal to the British Consul-A
Debate over Representation The
Underwriters Ruled Cut of the Court
A naval Court of Inquiry was held at the
British Vice Consulate at 30 o'clock yes
terday afternoon, to consider the petition
and protest Of the crew of the British steam
ship Resolute against going to sea in the
ship with the wet and damaged cotton. The
case excited a great deal of interest.
The different underwriters agents were
there while both the crews of the Resolute
and the Naples were interested listeners.
t1oi George A Mercer was present, repreS-
enting the British foreign marine nnder-
writers. Messrs. Charlton and Mackall also
were present, but did not appear to repre-
sent anybody. Col William Garrard and
A. H. MacDonen. representing the crew,
with Isaac Minis. Jr, and Mr.. Putnam, who
claimed to represent the captain of the ship
and the British marine clubs The court
Jury consisted of Messrs. J. B. Duckworth,
JAMS K Clarke, Capt. Child,of the British
steamship Bayley, and Capt. Sawle,
of the British steamship Cartagena,
UNDERWRITERS RULED OUT.
The British Vice Consul, w. Robertson,
presided, and proceedings were opened by
the Vice Consul reading a petition of the
crew of the Resolute, in which it was set
forth that il would be deleterious to their
health and hazardous TO their lives TO make
the voyage with the wet and damaged cot
ton under matches, and they begged the in
PREVENTION of the Board of Trade of Eng
land, through the Vice Consul in their be-
half
The Vice Consul stated that in view of
this be had called the court. Col. Mercer
urged postponement of the inquiry until
a petition from the British foreign marine
underwriters could be presented with other
evidence which would have strong bearing
on the case, arguing that they
were the defendants in the case.
Col. Garrard stated that the under
writers had nothing whatever to do in the
matter; that it was question between the
crew and the ship, which was the real de-
PENDANT, and the underwriters were really
a third party, and could not be recognized;
it nAttered not to the underwriters whether
this ship took rotten beef, rotten cotton or
rotten vegetables, but il was Of vital inn
portance to the crew. His views were sus-
tained by the court, and the underwriters
were ruled out.
A CHARGE REFUTKD.
Mr.. Putnam stated that he was there to
represent the captain. He said that he was
the captains friend and adviser in the case,
and he also represented the English clubs.
His right to represent the captain was also
denied by the court Col. Mercer said that
as thecaptain was not represented by counsel
and as he was not competent to conduct the
rase himself, and could not cross-examine
witnesses he would represent Capt Reavely,
and urged postponement of the inquiry
for two days. The court would not allow
Col. Mercer to represent the captain as he
was already representing the under
writers. Capt. Strachan, of Strachan
& Co, said that he was the real representa-
i've Of the owners of the ship, but little
matter of custody fees had caused the ship
70 be taken out of his hands by the Captain,
who acted upon the advices of the under
writers, but that Col Mercer was retained
on a yearly salary to represent the under
writers He was, however, unable to sub
stantiate this when Col Mercer denied the
Truth Of the latter statement
ADJOURNED TILL TO-DAY.
Capt Reavely asked that the court post
pone the inquiry until he could consult and
secure counsel When he came to the in
curry he felt sure that he and his owners
were represented. Mr. MacDonell said that
they were anxious to proceed with the
case; that a number of gentlemen
had Inconvenience themselves to oblige
both sides by coming to the inquiry to tes-
tify. The court then stated that it was
averse to postponement and asked Capt
Reavely how long he would need to secure
and consult with counsel. He said that he
would need at least two days. The court
thought that too long and after celebrating
announced that the inquiry would adjourn
until 9 O'Clock this morning so as to enable
Capt. Reavely to procure counsel.